RHONDDA Cynon Taf Council has received a pat on the back after a favourable annual report.

The publication of annual figures indicate how the authority is performing against its set targets.

Council leader Russell Roberts says the statistics not only provide an important insight into what is being achieved, but also highlight the challenges still to be faced when it comes to delivering better public services.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has met or exceeded 79 per cent of the targets it has been set and has maintained its performance on a further eight per cent, on issues as far-reaching as recycling, road repairs, waiting times for accommodation and more.

It has exceeded all-Wales averages in terms of the amount of waste recycled, levels of waste sent to landfill, the number of days it takes to deal with homeless people, the number of homeless people in bed and breakfast accommodation, the number of high-risk food premises inspected and the number of looked-after children with a care plan in place.

However, the figures released by the Local Government Data Unit also highlight areas where the council needs to focus attention.

The figures refer to performance from April 2006 to March 2007.

Figures are released annually but the council actually reports its performance against the targets on a quarterly basis. Performance to date has shown improvements in areas where the council acknowledges further work is needed.

The April-March figures show just 16.9 per cent of child protection case conferences due in a year were held within the required 15-day timeline.

This is an ongoing issue of concern, but the figure has already been increased to 30 per cent and work continues to maintain this improvement.

The same applies for the percentage of reviews of looked-after children carried out within the statutory time-scales, which currently stands at 74 per cent – an improvement of three per cent on the April-March figures.

Again, the number of formerly looked-after children with whom the authority is in contact stood at 71.4 per cent in the figures released this week, but, as of the end of September, this has risen to 92 per cent.

The full figures can be viewed at www.rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk. Highlights include:

The actual tonnage of waste fell 1.6 per cent across RCT, a staggering 2,025 tonnes.

RCT recycled an above-average 18.1 per cent of waste, plus an additional 8.1 per cent through composting.

An impressive 89.4 per cent of incinerator residues, abandoned cars and demolition or construction waste was recycled.

The percentage of main roads deemed to be in poor condition was 12.7 per cent, better than the Welsh average of 13.3 per cent.

The percentage of RCT footpaths deemed easy to use stood at 73 per cent, compared to a national average of 51 per cent.

The number of older people with a concessionary travel pass has increased from 83 per cent to 86 per cent, higher than the national average of 78 per cent.

In RCT, 98 per cent of fly-tipping incidents are cleared within five days, compared to a Welsh national average of 93 per cent.

There were 0.5 per cent of primary school classes with more than 30 pupils, making RCT the second worst in Wales after Bridgend. However, this percentage only equates to two classes out of 398.

Secondary school attendance fell across Wales but increased in RCT.

Three per cent of pupils left school without a recognised qualification in RCT, compared to a Welsh average of 2.1 per cent.

In RCT, 72 per cent of planning enforcement complaints were resolved within 12 weeks, compared to a national average of 62 per cent.

A full 100 per cent of high-risk premises were inspected for food hygiene.

The percentage of child referrals made to RCT where decisions were made within one day was 84.3 per cent, compared to a Welsh average of 82 per cent.

In RCT, 93 per cent of looked-after children have a care plan in place, compared to the average of 88 per cent.